Smyrna - AE 22mm
Obverse
Name/Title
Smyrna - AE 22mmEntry/Object ID
C2016-G32-155Description
A bronze coin of the city-state of Smyrna featuring a statue of the epic poet Homer.Context
Smyrna, an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor, was one of the numerous cities that claimed to be the birthplace of the legendary poet Homer, who is credited with authoring the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. In his Geography, the ancient Greek geographer Strabo discusses how during the 1st century BCE there was a temple dedicated to Homer located in Smyrna containing a shrine and statue of the poet. Additionally, he states how the city had a bronze coin called the homereion. Scholars have suggested that the depiction of Homer on the homereia coinage of Smyrna is a representation of the statue found in the temple described by Strabo. The choice of Apollo on the obverse of this coin can be explained by the fact that the god was one of the patron deities of Smyrna, appearing on the coinage issued by the city from around 400 BCE until the imperial period (1st-3rd centuries CE).Collection
Hellenistic GreeceMintage
Mint
SmyrnaDate made
130 BCE - 1 BCETime Period
HellenisticPlace of Origin
City
SmyrnaRegion
Asia MinorManufacture Method
StruckCoin Details
Obverse
Description
Head of Apollo laureate, right.Reverse
Description
Homer seated, left. Monogram in left field.Transcription
[ΙΜ]ΥΡΝΑΙ[ΩΝ] / ΣAPAΠIΩNTranslation
Of/belonging to the people of Smyrna. Sarapion (name of the magistrate).Issuing Authority
SmyrnaDenomination
AE 22mmEthnography
Cultural Region
Region
Asia MinorCulture/Tribe
Greek